For many years I have been on a journey of self-improvement. I read Anthony Robbins way before being a life coach was something you could do to finance living it up as a digital nomad in Bali.
Looking back I think subconsciously I was determined to improve myself to counteract my ADHD traits. I would read book after book on self-discipline, organisation and how to manuals, the latest being How To Grow A Successful Substack.
Over time this pursuit of self mastery has been reflected in my Instagram algorithm. Once you watch one David Goggins video, you enter an invisible lifetime contract of tough looking men appearing on your feed; shouting pithy motivational quotes at their phone.
And with this stream of endless content available via podcasts and video clips, we have entered the era of peak self improvement.
During lockdown I went all in. I would wake up at 5am and do two workouts a day. Did I feel good for it? Yes. Could I last the day without falling asleep at my desk? Absolutely not.
Now don’t get me wrong, it’s amazing that there is so much free information available that can help us improve ourselves. But I wonder whether too much of a good thing can become, well, a bad thing.
The pursuit for progress in our lives can feel all consuming and even overwhelming. Every life coach, guru and wellness influencer offers a different hack and if I followed them all, I wouldn’t have time to leave the house.
Take my morning routine for instance. When I am in optimum self-improvement mode it consists of: breath works, meditation, a work out, a cold shower and journalling. All of which make me feel great, but sometimes it can feel like a bit too much.
There’s no doubting that self-improvement can lead to a better sense of well being, improve self discipline and all that other good stuff. But despite this, we (I) shouldn’t castigate ourselves for missing leg day at the gym because it’s raining and you (I) want to spend an extra thirty minutes in bed.
So if you are taking your first tentative steps on your self-improvement journey, start small and and do what feels right for you. Whilst journalling might work wonders for one person, it can make another more introspective and over analytical.
Remember, be gentle and go easy on yourself.
I am of course writing this letter to myself.
